Dr. Theresa Wheeling, a former Republican voter who supported Donald Trump in the 2020 election, changed her party affiliation and plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the next election. This decision was influenced by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn federal abortion protections, causing Wheeling to feel embarrassed to call herself a Republican. A group of white female voters in battleground states, including Erie, Pennsylvania, where Wheeling lives, may play a crucial role in determining the outcome of future elections.
New polling from Galvanize Action shows that white women are increasingly open to voting for Harris over Trump in 2024, with Harris holding a slight lead in the polls. The top issues for this group of voters include the economy, preserving democracy, immigration, and abortion rights. While Republicans may have an advantage on economic issues, Democrats have an opportunity to win over white female voters by prioritizing abortion rights.
Data from past presidential elections shows a shifting trend among white female voters, with Democrats gaining an edge in recent years. Younger white women are more likely to lean towards the Democratic Party, while older demographics remain more divided. It remains to be seen if this voting bloc will continue to be up for grabs in future elections.
Wheeling, now registered as an independent, believes that her voting decisions will always be based on the candidate, their character, and the issues at hand, rather than party affiliation. This highlights the importance of individual beliefs and values in shaping voting behavior among white female voters.
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